2026-07-06T08:18:13Zhttps://repisalud.isciii.es/rest/oai/request

oai:repisalud.isciii.es:20.500.12105/275702026-06-30T09:10:31Zcom_20.500.12105_2052com_20.500.12105_2051col_20.500.12105_19609

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Sánchez-Mora, Patricia author Molero-Sanz, Francisca author Navascués, Ana author Zurita, Nelly Daniela author Zamarrón, Pilar author Lagarejos, Eduardo author Gómez, Sara author Cardona, Pere Joan author Carrasco, Blanca author López-Lomba, Marta author Escribano, Isabel author Martínez-Expósito, Óscar author Del Peso, Teresa author Herrero-Romero, Laura author Negredo, Anabel author Guillén-Calvo, Laura author Peña Gallego, Ana author Gutiérrez-López, Rafael author Labiod, Nuria author Vazquez, Ana author Sánchez-Seco, María Paz author Gutiérrez-López, Rafael author 2026 Introduction: Dengue is the most significant vector-borne viral disease in global morbidity and mortality, and it is considered a re-emerging disease spreading into new regions. The risk of autochthonous dengue virus transmission in Spain remains high due to the increasing number of travellers returning from endemic areas and the presence of Aedes albopictus within our territory. Conducting epidemiological and molecular studies on returning travellers from endemic areas may be crucial to discern transmission patterns and track the global spread of the virus. This study focuses on the molecular characterization of suspected imported dengue cases from 2022 to 2024. Methods: We analysed 600 samples from 539 suspected dengue-infected travellers between 2022 and 2024. All samples were tested by a quantitative RT-PCR, and PCR-positive cases were confirmed by performing a non-overlapping nested RT-PCR, going under subsequent sequencing to identify viral diversity. Results: Of the 539 suspected cases, 183 were confirmed as DENV-positive, with Cuba as the most common travel origin associated with infections. Molecular analysis of positive samples identified all four DENV serotypes and ten genotype groups, with DENV-3 genotype III as the most predominant. Additionally, among confirmed cases reported from regions with Aedes albopictus presence, 73% (94/129) occurred during the vector's active season (May-November), increasing the risk of local transmission. Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of returning travellers as sentinels for ongoing dengue outbreaks and epidemiology in endemic regions. Additionally, these emphasize the importance of early case identification through sentinel surveillance to prevent potential autochthonous transmission. Sánchez-Mora P, Molero F, Navascués A, Zurita ND, Zamarrón P, Lagarejos E, Gómez S, Cardona PJ, Carrasco B, López-Lomba M, Escribano I, Martínez-Expósito Ó, Del Peso T, Herrero L, Negredo A, Guillén-Calvo L, Peña A, Gutiérrez-López R, Labiod N, Vázquez A, Sánchez-Seco MP. Molecular epidemiology and surveillance of imported dengue in travellers returning to Spain, 2022-2024. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2026 May-Jun;71:102986. doi: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2026.102986. Epub 2026 May 4. PMID: 42092667. 10.1016/j.tmaid.2026.102986 Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 42092667 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/27570 Aedes albopictus Dengue virus Imported cases Molecular surveillance Serotype Spain Travellers Molecular epidemiology and surveillance of imported dengue in travellers returning to Spain, 2022-2024.